Considering the heavy influence the mattress industry has on UK life, this biting question would make potential customers consider whether the long-term sleep benefits are worth any exorbitant price. According to Statistica, the mattress industry is projected to reach $1.3 billion in the United States, while it is worth £895 million in the UK. The noteworthy detail is that UK mattress sales have increased from 2015 to 2020 by 3.9%. So, mattresses are incredibly important in the English-speaking world.
But looking past their importance, the consumers must consider whether these mattresses are actually worth the prices tagged on them. In order to truly make a decision as to whether an expensive or an affordable mattress is worth purchasing, this article will look at what adjusts the price in the first place. Answering the question “Expensive or Affordable?” would proceed beyond the framing of this question, since such a financial dichotomy does not take into account the specific details, which this article will provide.
One such detail is the mattress type, which is determined by the appearance and the functions of the individual features. These ultimately influence the price of the mattresses, with some being expensive, while others are affordable. Among many mattress retailers, Eve Sleep offers a page on their website dedicated to the comparison between different types of mattresses. Although the Premium mattresses cost more than the Original mattresses, what the Premium mattresses do offer is being antibacterial as well as providing advanced pressure-relieving top layer, advanced temperature regulation, and additional foam layers. The Original mattresses provide none of these features and only consist of three foam layers.
Those details may not in appearance be crucial to the purchasing experience, but it will with scientific credence. An underestimated health factor to consider among potential customers is sleep—or lack thereof. As Very Well Health noted, every adult human needs approximately 7 hours of sleep, in order to grow tissue, synthesize protein and repair muscles. Ultimately, that factor alone would decide the customer’s purchasing decision. Since lack of sleep decreases the cytokines needed to produce immunity; and that a way to improve sleep is to “…maintain comfortable temperature settings, “then an antibacterial mattress with temperature regulation would be needed.
Therefore, the “expensive” mattress could be needed. The consumers would be able to get their money’s worth.
But what happens when that money is lost during the process of purchasing or testing? Whether it involves not approving of the product or if a part of it breaks, the possibility of an unsatisfactory transaction will always be present. This can happen either at a mattress store or through an online purchase.
As predicted by Global Data analyst, Patrick O’Brien, in 2018, online sales of mattresses would rise to 20% of all purchases by 2021. He may not have predicted COVID-19 as the prime rationale for the transition from direct purchases to online, though may have played a factor in confirming that prediction. The memory-foam mattresses, as a specific type, have been escalating in purchases, according to Sentinel Newspaper. As such, there would be complications that can occur when customers spend the time of their warranty testing their mattresses, only to discover that they do not like them and would request a return. Therefore, buying customers would not want to risk buying a more expensive mattress, even if the foam is replaced.
The importance of the shipping and handling are not to be overlooked, since they can ultimately influence the transaction. Even the most perfect mattress—according to the individual consumer at least—would not provide complete satisfaction if the seller does not provide a smooth transition from the distributor to the shipping address.
All consumers should consider the pros and cons of whatever products they are purchasing, since they would need to make well-informed purchasing decisions, so as to not have regrets or contribute to the lack of trust in used mattresses. If mattress sales are to increase, then consumers should expect what they are purchasing, whether it is cheap or expensive, because products tend to have their prices for a reason.
As for the answer that this article attempts to provide, it is without a doubt that making cheap economic choices is not worth the long-term pain that could come with purchasing a “affordable’ mattress. The reality is that a mattress can only be affordable if it pays back the consumer with better health for approximately one decade. Any complications that can come with the retailer, whether through customer service or the post office, are temporary pangs in comparison to preventable chronic illness.
Therefore, it is worth buying an expensive mattress.
The readers of this blog would understand that the niche of this site requires knowledge of the mattress components, since they can influence the cost, but also offer more marketability, since the consumer may want—and need—better sleep and health in general. The transaction would be miniscule in comparison to the decade or so spent with the mattress for good or ill.
Sources:
https://www.statista.com/outlook/17020200/156/mattresses/united-kingdom
https://www.ibisworld.com/united-kingdom/market-research-reports/mattress-manufacturing-industry/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-you-should-never-regret-a-good-night-s-sleep-5088198
https://ksusentinel.com/2021/01/11/memory-foam-mattress-market-to-grow-at-exceptional-rate-during/